Tuesday 29 March 2022

On Saturday we welcomed many Old Maidstonians back to MGS to attend the Old Maidstonian Sports Day.  During the afternoon we enjoyed a round robin tournament of football involving many Old Maidstonian teams as well as a few teams of current students.  MGS won!  This was then followed by the MGS vs. Old Maidstonian rugby match which was won this year by the Old Maidstonians.  A huge thank you to Mr Ferguson, Mr Saunders, Mr Terrell, the Cucina caterers, the sixth from prefects and of course the players for making it all possible.  A great day was had by all.

Yesterday we continued welcoming Old Maidstonians back to MGS inviting them to our A Level Certificate Presentation Evening.  About 50 former students from last year’s Year 13 cohort attended the event which was warmly received, particularly because we have not been able to stage such an event since 2019. 

Today is the Virtual Year 10 Parents’ Evening.  Parents and students will hear from subject teachers about progress made to date, and what the next year looks like building up the GCSE examinations in the summer of 2023.

Tomorrow and Thursday we will be enjoying two evenings of The History Boys: the first staged performance at MGS since 2019.  The cast and crew have been rehearsing since September and are looking forward to putting on a performance in front of a live audience.  Tickets are £5 and can be purchased from the School Bursary.

Friday is the end of term and is marked this year with, fingers crossed, our whole school photograph.  The last time we had a whole school photograph was back in September 2014, so it has been a long time coming.  I say fingers crossed because we need good weather, but as long as it is dry, it is full steam ahead.

Finally, from Icarus in the Archives, did you know when Maidstone Grammar Schools was celebrating its 300th anniversary, Harrods Store was just opening for the first time in London. 

Tuesday 22 March 2022

Firstly, I wish to thank everyone who contributed to the charity day on Friday.  Not only were we supporting Comic Relief we were also supporting the DEC Ukrainian Humanitarian Appeal.  As well as the usual contribution in the morning to dress down for the day, other activities took place during the day to raise money for these two very important causes.  The highlights of the day were the staff vs. students touch rugby match at lunch (which was of course won by the students) and the five-hour inter-house relay marathon completed by staff and students across the four houses.  Thank you MGS for a great day.

Over the weekend, Theo of Year 9 represented Kent Schools AA at the English Schools Cross Country Championship on Saturday.  He comfortably finished in the top 30 out of over 300 runners.  Well done Theo.

Before I look ahead to this week I wish to acknowledge and congratulate the MGS basketball players who took part in an MGS vs. Oakwood Park tournament.  Players across a variety of ages took part, with all teams bringing home a win.  Well done all, and thank you to Mr Ashenfelter for leading the players. 

This week begins a series of events that invite Old Maidstonians back to their school.  On Friday evening the Old Maidstonian Supper takes place where former students gather together to enjoy a night of good food and conversation.  This is then followed by a new event: the Old Maidstonian Sports Day, where over 150 former students are returning to MGS to play either a game of football or rugby against some of our current students.  A few years of unhealthy living after leaving MGS may certainly make an impact!  Thank you to Mr Ferguson for organising, and to all current and former Maidstonians who made the day possible.  

On Wednesday, as part of Gender Equality Month, we are looking forward to welcoming Dr Andrea Den Boer, a lecturer from the University of Kent, to speak to a group of students about her work and the broader theme of gender equality in society and the work place.

On Thursday the MGS Spring Showcase is taking place where our budding performers will be showing off their talents in an evening of music and performance.  Do come along if you can.  The event is being held in the Big Hall and begins at 6.30pm.

Finally, from Icarus in the Archives, did you know in 1649 the school celebrated its 100^th anniversary in the same year that Rule by Parliament started.  During those 100 years, there had been five monarchs, the defeat of the Armada, the Gunpowder Plot and the sailing of The Pilgrim Fathers to America.

Tuesday 15 March 2022

Firstly, I wish to congratulate Callum and Thomas of Year 12 who at the weekend competed in the Oxford University Schools Debating Finals 2022. Although we have had some success with Cambridge debating, this is the first time Maidstone Grammar School has qualified for the Oxford Competition Final. With 210 students competing from four different continents, it was the largest in-person debating competition in the world to be held since the start of the pandemic. Callum and Thomas did incredibly well, placing 66^th of 105 schools, narrowly missing out on the Novice Championship in a competition predominantly populated by the world’s leading private schools. Thomas and Callum did an incredible job in representing the school and have now cut a path for future Maidstonians to follow. The Oxford Speaking Union is a famed training ground for future Prime Ministers… you never know!       

Also at the weekend 10 cadets from the CCF Army Section took part in a Military Skills Competition with 25 other sections from schools and ACF in the South East of England. The competition was demanding and MGS performed well in many areas, finishing 10th overall.  Well done cadets, and thank you to the staff who accompanied them

Each day this week a different inter-house sporting competition is taking place to generate some friendly house rivalry as well as win some all-important house points. My event, rowing, is taking place on Thursday. Thank you to everyone taking part and for Mr Highsted for organising.

Today, a company called Meducators is in school working with our aspiring medics from years 10 to 13.  This is the first time we have run such a day and we hope that the students find it helpful in understanding more about their aspirations. 

On Wednesday we are inviting students and their parents into the school to attend the MGS Careers Evening. Over 20 different industries will be on site making short presentations to those students who are interested in that respective career. Thank you to all the presenters, some of whom are Old Maidstonians, and thank you to Mr Rivers for organising.

On Friday we are acknowledging Comic Relief as well as the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. Students will be asked to donate £2 on the gate to come to school in non-uniform as well as be invited to take part in other activities that are taking place. The 'must see' event is a staff vs. student touch rugby match that will be taking place on the all-weather pitch at lunch. Good luck to everyone.

And finally, from Icarus in the Archives, did you know, in 1828, the year that the first electric motor was made, MGS was already 279 years old and had its 25th headmaster?  One year later, in 1829, the first police force was established.

Tuesday 8 March 2022

Firstly, thank you to the English Department for leading with the fun and excitement during last week’s World Book Day.  A number of students took part, with the Invisible Man winning the best-dressed student.  Just under £170 was collected during the day, and that money will go towards a charity that helps buy books for those who would be unable to.  Thank you all.

This week is the turn for Year 13 to sit a series of examinations to prepare them for the summer. It is only a couple of months since they sat their first set of examinations, so this second set will provide a further opportunity for the students to understand what they need to do in the last couple of months before the summer. Good luck Year 13.

Today, Tuesday 8 March, is International Women’s Day, which, as a school, is something we are recognising as part of Gender Equality Month.  Throughout March we will be raising awareness and starting conversations about such topics as equality, gender stereotyping and sexual harassment. We will have several external guest speakers, all prominent women, talking about their experiences in business, politics, and the arts.  Our tutor time programme will highlight some of the fantastic work being done to champion gender equality with recognisable figures such as Emma Watson as well as raising awareness about the use of pronouns; and there will be several lunchtime drop-in sessions across a range of subjects including women in STEM and the film industry.

On Thursday night parents of Year 11 get a chance to discuss their son's progress to date at the Year 11 Parents' Evening. We hope the evening is a positive one, and one that provides support for the upcoming few months before the GCSEs.

Finally, from today, I will be including a new item in my weekly blog.  The item will be called Icarus in the Archives: a small anecdotal item at the end of the blog, which comes from the MGS Archives.  I hope you find it interesting.  So did you know, in 1922 the first Shakespearean play, Twelfth Night’ was performed at MGS; the War Office donated two Wireless Telegraphy Sets to the school; and rugby became the school’s official winter sport.  And all of this occurred exactly 100 years ago!

 

22 February 2022

Welcome to Term 4.  I hope you have all had a good half term break, a well-deserved rest, and had a chance to watch some of the Beijing Winter Olympics.  I expect, like me, we have all become curling enthusiasts again!

We are now half way through the academic year, and we start the new term with Year 11 completing another set of mock exams.  We introduced these February mock exams about five years ago, and they have proved to be extremely helpful to all concerned.  These assessments provide a further opportunity for the students to prepare for what is to come in the summer.  We wait and see how the students do.  Best of luck to Year 11.

We also start the new term with searching for the next school captain and school vice-captain.  18 students from Year 12 applied for the posts and just before the half term we whittled them down to eight.  These shortlisted candidates are now going through a two-day rigorous interview process, and by the end of the week we will know who the two successful students are.  For me this time of year is one of my favourite times of the year as I get to spend two days talking with the students who wish to become the following year’s school captain and school vice-captain.  It is a delight being in their company and hearing how they feel about their school.  Good luck to all of them.

Today, right across the World, and here at MGS, we are recognising ‘Twosday’.  Today is 22 February, 2022, or 22/2/22, and it falling on a Tuesday makes it even more special.  I know I will, but I am sure the Maths Department will be sharing this quirky date with the students.

On Friday this week the students will be at home as the staff complete their final inset day of the year.  We would normally have this inset day in June but we have moved it so we can build on the work that we have been doing in school in improving the quality of teaching and learning.  On Friday we will be working with Inner Drive, who are part of Eton College’s educational research programme.  Based on where we believe MGS is we identified this organisation as the ideal partner to help us really think about questioning, assessment and memory retention. This is a fresh approach for us and so we are looking forward to welcoming some outside voices.   

As it is still February we are still recognising LGBT+ History Month, but very soon, when we move into March, we will be expanding our inclusivity agenda and looking at Equality and International Women’s Day.  The feedback we are receiving from the student body about how we are raising the profile of Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity has been extremely positive. 

Tuesday 8 February 2022

Firstly, congratulations to the players of the MGS 2^nd XI Football Squad who, by beating Simon Langton Grammar School 1 – 0 on Wednesday, have won their respective league.  This is a huge achievement for the players who have worked so hard to achieve this significant goal.  Well done gents, and a huge thank you to the members of staff who supported them throughout the whole season.

Yesterday we acknowledged the 70^th anniversary of Accession Day: the day the Queen became Queen Elizabeth II back on 6 February 1952 following the death of her father, HM King George VI.  The Union flag was flown on top of the school gatehouse, the Refectory served food with a Royal theme, and the CCF contingent paraded in school forming the number 70.  Thank you to everyone who took part.

Following yesterday’s celebrations, the Union flag was replaced with the Pride flag once more - acknowledging the month of LGBT+ History Month.  We have received so much positive feedback since we launched our recognition of LGBT+ History Month last week.  It is so pleasing to know that MGS goes on being an incredibly kind and accepting school.

Yesterday we welcomed parents of year 12 students into the school to hear from key staff about the upcoming UCAS process that their children will be now facing.  The time has come for our year 12 students to really start thinking of what life will be like beyond the school gates, and the evening last night hopefully provided a lot of information and guidance about what is to come.

On Wednesday this week parents of year 8 students will attend an evening speaking to their son’s teachers at the Year 8 Virtual Parents’ Evening.  Just like with the Year 12 UCAS Evening, this year 8 event is crucial for the students as it is at this time of the year when they choose their GCSE options.  A lot of work now goes on in school to ensure we create as good a curriculum as possible for each year 8 student.

Tuesday 1 February 2022

On Friday last week Corpus Christi House led the way with the fourth charity day of the year.  A number of fun activities took place around the school including dodgeball, soaking a teacher, and completing a challenging assault course on the all-weather pitch.  Lots of money has been raised for Maidstone Mind, a charity that provides wellbeing support for the people of Maidstone.  Thank you to the staff and students who helped organise the day.

On Saturday a large number of MGS football squads took part in a weekend fixture against Colfe’s School.  It is unusual to have so many football fixtures on a Saturday morning, so it was really good to welcome players and families outside of the usual rugby community to enjoy a few hours of competition.

A couple of weekends ago a number of our students took part in the Schools’ District Cross Country competition.  The year 7 boys came 3^rd place, the junior boys came 4^th, and the intermediate boys came 6^th.  Congratulations to Freddie of Year 7 who came 1^st in his race, and Theo of Year 9 who came 6^th.

Today marks the beginning of LGBTQ+ History Month, and I am delighted that Maidstone Grammar School for the first time ever in its history is acknowledging it.  In the School's 473-year history we have never really spoken about LGBTQ+ matters in such a public and open way and we have never flown the rainbow flag on top of the gatehouse.  As headmaster, I am extremely proud to be a part of something that is now looking forward and embracing such a key aspect of diversity.  To acknowledge the month, I will be addressing the entire school community in a live broadcast providing some history and context about the journey the LGBTQ+ community has been on.  As well as this we will be flying the rainbow flag, displaying numerous posters around the school acknowledging key LGBTQ+ role models, displaying LGBTQ+ literature in the school library, and putting together a bank of resources for form tutors to use during our weekly form time programme.  Thank you to the staff and students who have helped prepare for this important event.  Maidstone Grammar School goes on being a kind and tolerant school.

Tuesday 25 January 2022

Today is the last day where we open our doors to the wider MGS community and invite prospective sixth from students to see what we do at MGS.  These mini post 16 open mornings, which we have run for the last few days, have gone extremely well, and I thank the staff and students who have helped organise them.

On Thursday last week two year 12 students, Thomas and Callum, qualified for the National Finals of the Oxford University Schools Debating Competition. This is one the country’s leading academic competitions and this is the first time that a team of Maidstonians will be representing MGS at the Oxford Union in this event. Well done Thomas and Callum; a remarkable achievement.

Congratulations must also go to the U15 football squad who beat Dane Court 1 – 0 to progress into the semi-finals of the Kent Cup.  Well done boys, and congratulations to Charlie of the squad who scored the winning goal.

On Thursday this week the virtual Year 13 Parents’ Evening takes place which is perfectly timed following the Year 13 Mock Exams that took place a couple of weeks ago.  The evening will provide an excellent opportunity for parents to understand how their children are getting on. 

And on Friday this week the first charity day of 2022 takes place.  Students and staff of Corpus Christi House will be leading the day with the usual non-uniform and fundraising events taking place.

And finally, well done to Alfred of Tonbridge House who, after writing his own book, raised over £1,000 for FareShare: a charity network aimed at relieving food poverty and reducing food waste in the UK.  He has also been invited to present his book at the Faversham Literary Festival next month and will be sharing the stage with a Michelin star chef who Alfred interviewed in the book and kindly agreed to come and support Alfred on the day.  Great job Alfred.

 

Tuesday 18 January 2022

Last Wednesday the senior footballers had mixed fortunes in the Kent Cup.  The 1^st X1 lost in their quarter-final to Dane Court Grammar School 2 – 1, but the 2^nd X1 beat Norton Knatchbull 4 – 3 to reach their respective semi-final.  Well done to the players, and thank you to the staff members who support them.

Congratulations to the year 7 and 8 boys who competed in the Junior Knole Run for the first time last Friday. It was a fantastic event and our boys gave everything.  Out of 211 runners MGS had four in the top 20, and as a team finished 3rd out of the 39 teams.  The boys were a credit to their school.  Well done.

This week Year 13 return to normal school following their mock examinations last week.  Now their teachers will be marking their papers and so results will come out soon.

Also this week we are opening our doors to the wider community and inviting prospective students and their families in to see if the wish to consider MGS as a viable sixth form option.  Sadly, due to the ongoing Covid restrictions we cannot run our normal Post 16 Open Evening, but the five smaller events over five mornings will hopefully go some way in illustrating to perspective students what life is like at MGS.  As well as this we are also inviting our own year 11 students to spend an afternoon in school speaking to subject staff about all things A Levels, and what subjects are right for them.  We hope the students find the opportunity useful.

Tuesday 11 January 2022

Welcome to my first blog of 2022.  Happy New Year to you all.  I hope you all had a good Christmas break and an opportunity to catch up with friends and family. 

The new term started last week with us testing those students who consented to have a lateral flow test.  I was delighted when I heard that we had tested the entire school in just one day, which meant that the disruption that it undoubtedly causes was kept to a minimum.  Many thanks to the testing team, which included a number of parents who came in to support.

Sadly, last week we had to cancel our Year 8 Information Evening and our Post 16 Open Morning due to the ongoing restrictions we are all experiencing, but alternative measures and events have already been put in place to provide the essential information that we wish to share.  Details of these will be shared soon.

This week is a relatively quiet week except for Year 13 who have their first set of mock exams.  All schools are being asked to run Plan B alongside Plan A, so Year 11 and Year 13 will be completing three sets of examinations over the course of the year to help their teachers, if required, give Teacher Assessed Grades in the summer.  Good luck to Year 13.